Intravitreal injections service: a patient experience evaluation

This survey has been conducted following the introduction of nurse-led intravitreal injections clinics at the Great Western Hospital. A team of 5 nurses regularly carry out an average of 90 injections per week.

A series of 169 consecutive injection patients have been offered the study questionnaire between 28 January 2016 and 28 February 2016; patients with no previous experience with a nurse injector were excluded.

76.9% strongly agree that the nurse is more friendly and sensitive to their needs. Only 12.4% strongly agree that a doctor will be more suitable to deliver the injections. Seventy-five percent stated that they were very happy with the care, while 0.4% thought a nurse would be unsafe; 69.2% feel more comfortable asking questions when with a nurse injector. Anxiety and nervousness were found to be the main two symptoms experienced by patients around the time of injections (27.8% and 34.9%, respectively).

The questionnaire was designed based on the feedback from the local friends and family test. A clear majority of patients gave highly positive feedback about nurse injectors. Considering patients' individual needs at the time of injections, such as allergies or points that needs clarification, helps in overcoming some of the psychological complications of treatment.